A tragic wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 in Chula Vista resulted in the deaths of a 67-year-old woman and a 16-year-old high school student. Eileen Crawford and Ryder Shoup were identified as the victims of the head-on collision that occurred in the early hours of the morning. Crawford, who was receiving cancer treatments and had moments of forgetfulness according to a close friend, entered the southbound lanes of the highway in her Honda Civic, traveling six miles in the wrong direction before crashing into Shoup’s Dodge Challenger.
Shoup, a new father and student at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, was described as athletic, competitive, and always smiling by those who knew him. The tragic news of his death spread quickly on social media, leaving friends and acquaintances heartbroken. The city of Imperial Beach expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Shoup, highlighting his involvement in the community and junior lifeguard program. The circumstances surrounding the crash, including the cause and whether alcohol or drugs were involved, are still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
The South Bay area, particularly near the border, has seen a number of wrong-way crashes in recent years, prompting authorities to implement measures to prevent such accidents. Caltrans has installed warning signs and reflective pavement to alert drivers when they are going the wrong way, with promising results in reducing wrong-way incidents. The community mourns the loss of Crawford and Shoup, and anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact the San Diego CHP for further investigation.